Latest news with #MarylandStemCellResearchFund
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund Announces Call for Applications for the July 2025 Cycle
Application deadline is July 9, 2025 COLUMBIA, Md., June 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission ("Commission") is pleased to announce the release of Requests for Applications (RFAs) for the July 2025 funding cycle. The deadline for application submissions is July 9, 2025. The upcoming cycle supports a broad spectrum of grant programs, including early-stage basic research, translational efforts, clinical trials and manufacturing support. Maryland-based academic institutions, nonprofits and companies are encouraged to apply. Additionally, companies/non-profit entities outside Maryland are eligible to apply, provided the funded research occurs within the state. Supplemental funding is available for research projects involving collaboration between public and private sectors, accelerating the development of therapies for unmet medical needs. "Despite ongoing uncertainties in federal funding, Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) remains unwavering in its commitment to support Maryland's pioneering stem cell scientists and companies. Our dedication to advancing innovative therapies continues undeterred, and we are grateful for the steadfast support from Maryland Governor Moore's administration and the General Assembly to help us succeed in this critical mission," said Ruchika Nijhara, Ph.D., executive director of MSCRF. "These funding opportunities are another big step in helping Maryland lead the way in stem cell and regenerative medicine research. Investing in innovative science and encouraging collaboration will open the door to life-changing therapies and help Maryland's biotech community thrive in a way that benefits everyone," said Rachel Brewster, Ph.D., chair of the Commission. To date, MSCRF has supported over 700 research projects, investing over $230 million. In May 2025 alone, over $18 million was allocated to 52 projects spanning all stages of technology development, from basic research to clinical application and manufacturing. Key Dates: Application Submission Deadline: July 9, 2025 (before 5 PM) Application Submission Portal Opens: June 18, 2025 Grant Awards Announcement: September 2025 For full details on RFAs and application instructions, visit For questions or assistance, contact mscrfinfo@ MSCRF remains committed to advancing innovative research, supporting economic growth and positioning Maryland as a premier hub for regenerative medicine. About the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission and Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission, through Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, focuses on identifying and funding cutting-edge research and innovation in the field of regenerative medicine in Maryland. Our Accelerating Cures initiative comprises programs that help transition human stem cell-based technologies from the bench to the bedside as well as mechanisms to build and grow stem cell companies in Maryland. About TEDCOTEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at Media ContactTammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, tthomas@ Kalinyak, Associate Director, Marketing & Communications, TEDCO, rkalinyak@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Technical.ly
10-03-2025
- Health
- Technical.ly
This stem cell research fund is transforming patient care in Maryland
As executive director of the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund, Ruchika Nijhara has seen the program's work literally change lives, including the life of a 4-year old patient. This patient suffered from a rare genetic disease that caused his immune cells to not work properly. Between constantly getting pneumonia and coming in to receive interferon gamma shots, he spent a significant amount of his childhood in the hospital. His health was always in question before the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF) helped alter the course of his life. The MSCRF is an independent program within TEDCO created to promote state-funded human stem cell research and medical treatments through grants to public and private entities in Maryland. It focuses on identifying and fostering cutting-edge research and innovation in the field of regenerative medicine. That's exactly what the young patient needed. He was treated at Johns Hopkins University by Heather Symons and was cured at 10-years old. Now, he's 16 and participating in the STEM field himself. 'This is what the potential of this field is, and our state has always been a leader in life sciences,' Nijhara said. 'We still can't match our funding to what California provides, but whatever we provide has not only shown significant economic impact, but the non-monetary value of our funding is innumerous.' The program was initiated back in 2006, when Sen. Paula Hollinger introduced a bill that aimed to boost funding for embryonic stem cell research. As first proposed, it would've allowed research on human embryos otherwise discarded from fertility clinics, but several critics countered that the proposal was akin to abortion. Even if the bill were to pass, it was unclear if then-Gov. Robert Erlich would sign it. So, Hollinger tweaked the bill's language to provide funding for various kinds of adult stem cell research. While the adult cells are not considered as promising for research purposes, they are less controversial. The approval of this bill led to the establishment of the MSCRF under the Maryland Stem Cell Research Act of 2006. $200+ million to help patients and strengthen the region Part of the goal of the MSCRF is to foster economic development in the region, according to Nijhara. 'We don't want the money to go out [of Maryland],' she said. 'We want to promote economic development in the state. We want to build collaborations and a stronger ecosystem in the state while at the same time making sure that we stay committed to our mission, which is to advance the field to reach patients through curative treatments.' When the fund first launched in 2007, it offered two grants, both primarily targeted toward academic research. In 2017, the MSCRF expanded to include six grant programs, allowing the fund to offer support for clinical trials and help companies secure research sites within the state. With the launch of the Manufacturing Assistance Program in 2023, the MSCRF now offers seven grant programs — Launch, Discovery, Validation, Commercialization, Clinical, Post-doctoral Fellowships and Manufacturing Assistance — all to accelerate research and commercialization of human stem cell-based technologies. These grants help scientists, companies and research organizations accelerate and advance the commercialization of innovative stem cell technologies for a positive impact on human lives. For instance, one MSCRF grant funded research for an innovative technique developed at Johns Hopkins that allows sickle cell anemia patients who don't have the exact genetic makeup in the family to get a transplant, even when they only have half a match. 'Through MSCRF, the Maryland life sciences ecosystem continues to expand, building a community of research and collaboration across the public private sectors,' said Troy LeMaile-Stovall, TEDCO CEO. 'The work that Ruchika and her team do every day leads to a better Maryland, while also promoting hope, enabling cures and building the resources for a better tomorrow.' To date, the MSCRF has allocated $208 million in funding to 600 research projects and 41 different entities within the state such as companies, academic institutions, nonprofits and other organizations. In addition to Johns Hopkins, this includes big players like the Kennedy Krieger Institute, the Lieber Institute of Brain and the entire university system of Maryland. An impressive 75% of the companies the fund has supported since its inception are still in existence. The fund's mission remains to develop new medical strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of human diseases, injuries and conditions through human stem cells. Accelerating research with targeted investments This mission is why the MSCRF invests in unique companies like RoosterBio. Founded in 2013, RoosterBio provides standardized, scalable stem cell products and biomanufacturing solutions to support regenerative medicine, cell therapy and tissue engineering. RoosterBio accelerates human mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (hMSC) and exosome/extracellular vesicle (EV) product and process development to boost the implementation of scalable advanced therapies. 'We're helping to de-risk the industry because people can now test out their product concepts at a fraction of the cost, in a fraction of the time,' said Jon Rowley, founder and chief product officer of the company. Over the past decade, the MSCRF has invested $1.89 million in RoosterBio through four grants. This investment has resulted in a near 40x return to the state, as RoosterBio has brought in $25 million in venture capital funding and more than $50 million in revenues over that span. While the MSCRF's impact within the state is evident, one underrated benefit of the program is its ability to boost Maryland's external connections. Last year, the MSCRF opened its doors to companies outside of Maryland, as long as the research conducted was done within the state. 'The MSCRF has been extremely successful in bringing visibility to the great research and opportunities we have here in the state,' said LeMaile-Stovall. 'We must learn how to fail fast, pivot faster and relaunch the next version even faster. That's part of the scientific process, to try, experiment, learn and retry again. This is all part of both the innovation and entrepreneurial process.' This eagerness to try different things will be critical as we continue to explore stem cell product development. 'We're only just starting to scratch the surface on knowing how to get these products developed that they work after they've been manufactured at scale and then onto the market,' Rowley said.
